Seeing More - Genetics and Ultrasound

Seeing is believing for many in the world of science and the medical world is constantly advancing with techniques to combat some of the most common issues that humanity constantly battles. Ultrasound has been used across many industries since its invention. Ultrasound was first used in the medical field for vision of Fetal development in Glasgow, 1956. Since then Ultrasound has been leveraged for diagnosis and treatment of many conditions. Screening and understanding the body is a vital part of medical advancement and it is thanks to this technology that we are able to identify issues within the body without invasive and possibly risky diagnosis practices.

// Body Breakdown //

Using existing technology and ‘seeing more’ through novel techniques is an exciting prospect in any field. Much is known in terms of manipulating ultrasound tech but there have always been limitations as to what can be capture and visualised reliably. Times have moved rapidly since scanning the womb and we arrive at a use case that hinges on much smaller details. Diving even deeper into the body, science arrives at the genetic pit stop in an attempt to understand the body. Ultrasound used on animals has yielded results that determine the state of genes which can be on or off. Understanding the very foundation of both basic and complex genetic structures is an ongoing effort. Cells work in adaptive ways depending on body conditions, capturing such actions would serve as valuable data gathering for genetic research.

// Glow Green //

Capturing the data itself through exploitative techniques of identification is a genius move that shows how important understanding and development of techniques are still yet to bring new revelations in the health care industry. Researches were able to genetically manipulate subjects to issue green fluorescent protein (GFP) when specific genes are activated. Similar comparison to glow in the dark sticks might come to mind. At this stage it is still challenging to track genetic state internally, but ultrasound technology comes into the picture to make its images by bouncing rapidly around the body. Imaging such minuscule details with meaningful resolution is still a challenge and this is where the next level of brilliance steps in to lend a helping hand.

// Refinement and Utility //

Aquatic bacteria is a microorganism that can thrive and travel round the body. Introduction of this as a catalyst to produce bubbles within cells serve as a medium that waves are able to bounce off back for detection in the ultrasound. This concept was ‘ported’ for use within animal cells and required multiple workarounds to achieve desired results. Almost like a Trojan horse, synthetic genes were used to activated specific genes. Multiple processes were used to eventually allow successful identification of specific gene activation within mice. This is but early stages of genetic screening and is not yet viable for the wider health industry. With time and refinement, new doors to genetic investigation and non-intrusive diagnosis will emerge.

Sources

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/09/ultrasound-can-see-when-tumor-cells-turn-genes-and

http://www.ramp-alberta.org/river/ecology/life/microorganisms.aspx

https://www.livescience.com/32071-history-of-fetal-ultrasound.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_ultrasound